Page 297 of Rangers Unexpected Return

"There should be twelve."

Sheriff Tate closed his eyes.

"He took that page too."

"No."

Judy tilted the paper toward the light.

"What?"

"Tear marks."

She traced the rough edge.

"Someone didn't remove the whole page."

"They cut out..."

"...one line."

Mabel leaned over.

"Can you still read it?"

"Maybe."

The ink from the missing line had pressed into the paper beneath it.

Judy smiled.

"Oh..."

Mace looked at her.

"You've got that look."

"What look?"

"The one that says your brain just left the rest of us behind."

She laughed.

"I need a pencil."

Everyone stared.

"A pencil?"

She nodded excitedly.

"If someone wrote on the line above..."

"...the pressure may have left an impression."

Doris was already searching the desk.

"I've got one."